Schwartz
English 9
Nature Imagery:
Literary Analysis Paragraph
A strong analytical
paragraph follows a basic underlying structure and includes certain key
elements.
Using the guidelines presented here,
write a paragraph explaining the significance of nature imagery in “The Scarlet
Ibis” (pg. 594).
A strong paragraph has
unity and coherency, meaning it is focused on one main idea.
This main idea is presented in the topic sentence and then developed and
elaborated through the presentation and explanation (analysis) of specific
evidence. A strong paragraph will
also often include a final comment that summarizes the information, wrapping up
the point that has been made (without merely—and unnecessarily—repeating the
topic sentence).
Structure of a strong analytical paragraph:
Topic Sentence
State the main idea to be presented and proved in the paragraph.
Evidence
If writing about a
literary work, details from the story, including direct quotations (not just of
dialogue but of any word, phrase, or chunk of the story), are presented.
Be sure to introduce all quotations; don’t leave them hanging out as
their own sentence! Only quote what
is significant, not entire long paragraphs from the text.
Explanation
Evidence must be
explained to the reader. Explain the
significance of the evidence; how does it support the main idea/topic sentence
of the paragraph? Analysis should
comprise the bulk of your paragraph. (Generally, analysis should be twice the
length of the evidence it is explaining.)
Evidence/Explanation
(repeat above steps)
Evidence/Explanation
(repeat above steps)
Yes,
use at least three pieces of evidence
total in your paragraph, each with its own explanation. Marshal your
evidence and explain its significance; the more, the more powerful your
paragraph.
Closing statement
Bring your paragraph to
a satisfying close. Drive home your
point (without being repetitive).
Don’t end one paragraph by presenting the main idea of the next paragraph (this
is a technique used primarily in different types of expository writing).
Example Paragraph:
The motif of gardening in
Death of a Salesman conveys Willy’s
failure at the American Dream.
Willy mentions throughout the play his desire to
grow vegetables in his backyard garden (10, 15),
which symbolizes his desire to achieve something that
he can pass along to his sons. With
a garden, you plant seeds and reap the full bounty of vegetables; with his
American dream, Willy wants to raise his sons to be greater than he was.
When Willy complains that “The grass don't grow anymore, you can't raise a carrot in the
backyard” because of all the apartments built right around the house (17),
his words reveal the decline of the American dream.